Trailer gate-ramp lift spring assist apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention is a lift kit for conventional trailers which include a foldable tailgate or trailer ramps mounted for pivotal movement about a gate or ramp axis from a transport position wherein the gate or ramps are elevated for transport to an unload position wherein the gate is lowered to permit removal of objects carried on the trailer, which incorporates a heavy duty helical elongated spring having plurality coils with one end fixedly mounted at the trailer end, at the other end of the spring an adjustment which resists the force of gravity as the gate or ramps move from its upper travel position to its lower unload position which is fixedly mounted to the trailer gate or trailer ramp.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]   611,997 Oct., 1898 Gillihan 16/72. 1,819,187 Aug., 1931 McFerrin 16/72. 1,880,870 Oct., 1932 Demo 16/78. 2,023,909 Dec., 1935 Wread 296/61.  2,527,653 Oct., 1950 Pierce 14/71. 2,559,007 Jul., 1951 Cliffe 14/71. 3,517,408 Jun., 1970 Manse 16/72. 3,834,565 Sep., 1974 Goodman, Jr. et al. 269/61.  4,082,133 Apr., 1978 Halopoff 160/191. 4,603,461 Aug., 1986 Whippie  29/227. 4,640,049 Feb., 1987 Duncan  49/197. 4,657,233 Apr., 1987 Vroom 267/155. 4,765,026 Aug., 1988 Dochnahl  16/289. 5,954,383 Sep., 1999 Beck, et al. 296/50.  6,098,970 Aug., 2000 Lowe 267/179 6,183,031 Feb., 2001 Ballard, et al. 296/57. 

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED REASEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] “Not Applicable”

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] “Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention is a trailer-gate and trailer-ramp lift kit relates to spring assist apparatus for assisting manual repositioning of trailer gates or trailer ramps which consists of 3 eyelets with shanks, 2 used for spring support anchors, 1 used for an adjustment for spring tension, a helical elongated coil spring and a flexible cable.

[0005] These gates and ramps are used on conventional, commercial, parks and recreational trailers used by cities, counties and states for use in hauling landscape equipment such as walk-behind mowers, aerators, riding lawn mowers, pipe pulling equipment for underground sprinkler systems, sidewalk-wheeled sweepers and the like. In construction such as backhoes, bob-cats, crawling well-drilling equipment and the like. These trailer gates or trailer ramps in order to support these loads are usually constructed of steel and have considerable weight are generally relatively long to permit a relatively shallow incline. They are usually pivoted adjacent the bottom edge of the gate or ramp and the entire weight of the gate or ramp is supported above the pivotal point.

[0006] This helical elongated coil spring tension from the anchored spring support on the trailer to the anchored spring support on the trailer gate or trailer ramp effectively reduces the weight of the trailer gate or trailer ramp, making it easier to let down or lift up thereby reducing risk or injury to the back or arm of the operator, especially operators of walk-behind mowers—as the result of fatigue from cutting and maintaining grass in a regular workday, also from letting down and lifting the trailer gate up a multitude of times in a regular workday.

[0007] When the trailer gate or trailer ramp is in vertical position and the safety attachment or latch is released to lower the trailer gate or trailer ramp, the trailer gate or trailer ramp can be eased down without having the full load on the operator because of the tension on the helical elongated coil spring.

[0008] The problems attendant trailer ramps are known and various solutions have been proposed U.S. PAT. NO. 3,843,565 is directed to a hydraulic system for providing a source of power to raise and lower a trailer ramp. Such a system is usable only if a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure is available from the trailer itself or from a draft vehicle.

[0009] U.S. PAT. NO. 4,065,824 illustrates a coil spring for exerting a force to articulate a lip pivotally attached to a bridge plate upon pivotal movement of the bridge plate.

[0010] U.S. PAT. NO. 4,657,233 which incorporates bearing to reduce the friction attendant pivotal movement of the ramps. A housing protective of a spring located at the pivoting junction.

[0011] U.S. PAT. NO. 6,183,031 the provision of a counter-balance formed in a kit of pulleys, coiled spring and capable being mounted directly on the horizontal top rail of the trailer support frame with a counter-balance, with a cable attached to the trailer gate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved spring assist apparatus for trailer gate or trailer ramp and a method for using the same.

[0013] A further object of this present invention is the provision of an apparatus which may be formed as a kit capable of being mounted upon conventional and commercial trailers.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for relieving the hazards to an operator attendant unloading and loading trailer transported wheeled vehicles.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for trailer gates and trailer ramps which may be added to conventional trailers and which provide less hardware, easier maintenance, easier access for malfunctions, broken parts and easier access for replacement for broken parts.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is the provision of minimum interference with the load bearing capabilities of the trailer.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit for trailer gates and trailer ramps with conventional and commercial trailers more economical to manufacture.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is the provision to have more room on the top horizontal top-rail in order to add needed accessories to the trailer with the apparatus to the rear of the trailer anchored thereof.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved kit for trailer gates or trailer ramps which is improved, durable in use and efficient in operation.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is this can be fixedly mounted on square tubing trailer frames, angle iron trailer frames, solid steel trailer frames, wood frames with ramps or trailer gates.

[0021] A further object of this present invention is the eyelet shanks that are threaded that are attached to the helical coil spring can be fixedly mounted in either direction, horizontally or vertically, for any attachment to any trailer with a trailer gate or ramps.

[0022] A further object of the present invention when mounted at the proper height from the trailer bed, it will reduce the gate weight lowering and lifting.

[0023] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer that has a pivotal mounted trailer gate having the spring assist apparatus of the present invention thereon.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trailer that has pivotal mounted trailer ramps having the spring assist apparatus of the present invention thereon.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of the trailer gate in the elevational view at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to a eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the opposite side of the trailer gate at the end of the trailer.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of the trailer gate in the elevational view at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to the eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted at the end of the trailer where the vertical rail support meets the horizontal toprail.

[0029]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the trailer gate in the unload position at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to the eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted at the end of the trailer where the vertical rail support meets the horizontal toprail.

[0030]FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to an eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment fixedly mounted to the trailer gate.

[0031]FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional side view of the trailer gate in unload position at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to the eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted at the end of a trailer where the vertical support meets the horizontal toprail.

[0032]FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional side view similar to FIG. 8 showing the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to an eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment attached to an eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted to the trailer gate.

[0033]FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional side view of the trailer ramp in the unload position, at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to the eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted at the end of the trailer to a trailer support bracket.

[0034]FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional side view similar to FIG. 10 showing the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to an eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment.

[0035]FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 12--12 of the trailer ramp in the elevational view at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to an eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment attached to an eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted to the trailer ramp.

[0036]FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken of the trailer ramp in the elevational view at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to an eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted to a trailer support bracket.

[0037]FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the trailer ramp in unload position at the end of the trailer of the spring assist apparatus of the present invention showing the position of the spring attached to an end to an eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted at the end of the trailer to a support bracket, at another end attached to an eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment then attached to an eyelet with threaded shank fixedly mounted to a trailer ramp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Referring jointly to FIG.'s 1 & 2, there are shown conventional trailers. The numeral 10 designates a trailer. FIG. 1 trailer 10 is comprised of a trailer frame 12, formed of a horizontal toprail 14 and a horizontal bottom rail 16 comprises of plurality of vertical rail supports 18 and a trailer bed 20.

[0039] A gate 22 to unload and load vehicles or equipment comprises of a hinge 24 connected to the bottom frame member 26 of gate 22 and provides gate 22 pivotal movement about a horizontal axis with an upper frame member 28 joined by side frames members 30. A plurality of cross members 32 extending between frame members 26, 28 and extend parallel to side frame members 30. A strong screen mesh 62 covers between and cross frames 32 and side frame members 30.

[0040] The front of the trailer is a tongue 34 and a hitch 36. A pair of fenders 58 are mounted on the opposite sides of trailer 10 and surround a pair of wheels 38 which support the trailer 10 for transporting.

[0041]FIG. 2 trailer 10 excludes a horizontal toprail 14, vertical rail supports 18 and a gate 22 with a hinge 24. To unload and load vehicles and equipment are a pair of ramps 40, 42 which are pivotally secured for movement about a horizontal axis at end of trailer 10.

[0042] Normally during transport of trailer 10 (See FIG. 1 & 2) the gate 22 or ramps 40, 42 are secured with a locking bar, chain or some other type of securing device not shown.

[0043] Referring jointly to FIG. 's 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 spring assist apparatus 44 will be described in detail. For FIG. 1 trailer 10 is comprised of a heavy duty helical elongated spring having plurality coils 46, an eyelet with a threaded shank 60 attached with free movement to an end of the helical elongated spring 46 which includes a pair of spaced apart nuts 48, a pair of small flat washers 50 spaced apart, which would fixedly mount to the end of trailer end where the horizontal toprail 14 and the vertical rail support 18 meet at the appropriate height between 10 inches and 14 inches above trailer bed 20. Attached with free movement at the other end of the helical elongated spring 46 an eyelet with threaded shank 60, which includes a pair of space apart nuts 48, a lock washer 52, a pair of large flat washers 54 spaced apart, a pair of small flat washers 50 spaced apart for adjustment of spring tension of spring 46,which is attached to an eyelet with threaded shank 60, which includes a pair of nuts 48 spaced apart, a pair of small flat washers 50 spaced apart which would fixedly mount to gate 22. Within and throughout the helical elongated spring 46 attached to the eyelets with threaded shank 60 at opposite ends of spring 46 a flexible safety cable 56.

[0044] Referring jointly to FIG.'s 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, spring assist apparatus 44 will be described in detail for FIG. 2 trailer 10 is comprised of a heavy duty helical elongated spring having plurality coils 46, an eyelet with a threaded shank 60 attached with free movement to an end of the helical elongated spring 46 which includes a pair of spaced apart nuts 48, a pair of small flat washers 50 spaced apart which would fixedly mount to the end of trailer 10 where a brace support 64 which is at the appropriate height between 10 inches and 14 inches which is welded on the side of the horizontal bottom rail 16. Attached with free movement at the other end of the helical elongated spring 46 an eyelet with threaded shank 60 which includes a pair of spaced apart nuts 48, a lock washer 52, a pair of large flat washers 54 spaced apart, a pair of small flat washers 50 spaced apart for adjustment of spring tension of spring 46 which is attached to an eyelet with threaded shank 60, which includes a pair of nuts 48 spaced apart, a pair of small flat washers 50 spaced apart which would fixedly mount to ramps 40, 42. Within and throughout the helical elongated spring 46 attached to the eyelets with threaded shank 60 at opposite ends of spring 46 a flexible safety cable 56.

[0045] The spring assist apparatus 44 of the present invention improves the raising and lowering of the gate 22 or ramps 40, 42 because it resists the force of gravity when a proper adjustment to the spring tension is made with the proper height at end of trailer 10. In absence of the spring assist apparatus 44 the gate 22 or ramps 40, 42 is likely to have full weight by reason of gravity and injure persons in the vicinity because of inclement weather, fatigue or improper lifting technics.

[0046] In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A pair of spring assist apparatus assembly kit for assisting pivotal movement intermediate two elements, such as a said trailer gate or said trailer ramps extending from a said trailer. Said spring assist apparatus assembly kit comprising: a said spring support eyelet with threaded shank adapted for attachment to said trailer; a said helical heavy duty elongated coil spring connected to an end of the said spring support eyelet with threaded shank for attachment to said trailer; another said spring support eyelet with threaded shank connected to an end of the said helical heavy duty elongated coil spring for adjustment of tension of coil spring; a said eyelet with threaded shank for connecting to said spring support eyelet with threaded shank for adjustment of tension of coil spring for attachment to said trailer gate or said ramps. 